It was a crossroads, both physically and mentally. Cole posted a quote from Albert Einstein that embodied his resolve.

“Adversity introduces a man to himself,” it read.

Cole got healed up and went through rehabilitation. He was back on the field in August. During the time when he was unable to run or do weightlifting with his legs, he instead concentrated on strengthening his upper body.

“We thought he really transformed his body after the injury,” said defensive line coach Jordan Stevens.

He sat out the next two games and returned against Richmond on Sept. 28. In the second quarter, again while trying to tackle a quarterback, he tore the pec in a different spot.

Cole finished the game and played against Delaware, but was subsequently forced to sit out the William & Mary game.

“With two tears, it’s vulnerable to ripping all the way through,” said Cole, who more recently had a shoulder ailment.

“The injuries, it’s been frustrating for him, because he spent all that time rehabbing,” Stevens said. “I don’t question his toughness.”

Cole was an all-state offensive tackle and defensive end at North Brunswick (N.J.) High School. He arrived at UMaine at about 265 pounds.

In August he weighed 240 and had only 8 percent body fat.

“It was a lot of hard work,” said Cole, who developed into a feared pass rusher at UMaine.

Stevens said Cole possesses an extra gear in getting off the line of scrimmage, while Cosgrove pointed to his perseverance and techniques as key attributes.

“He’s explosive when he comes off the ball and he has a good feel for rushing the passer,” Stevens said.

“He’s strong in the hands to tear off blocks, thing that are critical for a pass rusher, to be able to escape, to avoid, to get off blocks,” Cosgrove added.

Cole gained an appreciation for weight training under high school coach Mark Zielinski. Cole attributes his commitment to football and his hard-charging style to the example set by his hardworking father, Bill, with whom he hopes to work in his warehousing business.

“I’ve always been an ultracompetitive person in everything I’ve done,” he said.

Cole, who is finishing up a psychology degree, has caught the attention of NFL scouts and hopes to pursue a pro career. Eventually, he also would like to coach football.